Saudi Arabian Signs with Boieng
Saudi Airlines Signs an accordto purchase 22 B777-300ER planes &
8 Boeing 787-9 dremlaenr

Eng. Khaled Al-Molhem, Director General of Saudi Arabian Airlines, and Mr. Jim Albaugh, CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, will sign the agreement. The ceremony was attended by a number of other top officials as well and senior executives and board members of Saudi Arabian and Boeing. Representatives of the national and international media attended the event also.The signing of the new aircraft purchase deal comes within the framework of Saudi Arabian Airlines' strategic plan to modernize its fleet by acquiring 82 advanced aircraft in order to meet growing traffic demand at national and international sectors. The new aircraft would help Saudia provide more seats, operate new flights and develop its national and international networks, thus meeting the hopes and aspirations of passengers and strengthening the Airline's competitive position at regional and international levels.

In a statement on this occasion, Eng. Al-Molhem, the Director General, expressed his gratitude toward Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, Crown Prince Sultan and the Second Deputy Premier for their generous and continuous support to Saudi Arabian Airlines.
He said the national carrier has been playing an important role during the past 70 years in the development of the country, linking the various regions of the Kingdom by a modern transport means, serving the air traffic movement and boosting trade exchange between Saudi Arabia and the rest of the world.

He said Saudi Arabian Airlines has made remarkable progress as a result of the implementation of Prince Sultan's directives. It has reached advanced stages in its privatization program, development of its technological infrastructure and achieving qualitative improvement in services at all its stations and on board its flights.
Saudi Arabian Airlines has given top priority to the training and employment of the national cadre by providing them with advanced training courses in the aviation industry.Eng. Al-Molhem also commended the efforts of Prince Fahd bin Abdullah, who has been closely following up Saudia's development programs.

"In the coming phase, Saudi Arabian Airlines will witness fundamental development in the standard of its services and its national and international flight networks. He described the Airline's fleet modernization as one of the important strategic plans to achieve comprehensive development and confront future challenges.
Saudia's History at a Glance

Saudi Arabian Airlines has established a strong business relationship with Boeing company since May 27, 1945 when then US President Franklin Roosevelt gifted a DC-3 plane to King Abdul Aziz, the founder of Saudi Arabia. That plane was the nucleus of Saudi Arabian Airlines, which has now become one of the leading airline companies in the world.

In 1948, the Airline purchased five DC-4 aircraft and five Bristol 170 aircraft to boost its international flight network. Since then relations between the two giant companies have been witnessing remarkable progress.
In 1961 Saudi Arabian Airlines entered the age of jet planes buy purchasing its first Boeing 720. Seven years later it bought a Boeing 707. In 1972, five Boeing 737s joined the Airline's fleet. Boeing 737 was considered the most modern aircraft at that time with two jet engines.

In 1985 and 1986 Saudi Arabian Airlines received 10 Boeing 747-300s while in 1995 the fleet was further beefed up by purchasing 61 new aircraft such as Boeing 747-400s, Boeing 777-200ERs and MD90s in addition to MD-11 cargo planes.